Choosing Your Hearing Aids

Hearing Aids

Remember those bulky, uncomfortable and rather unattractive buff-coloured hearing devices? Thankfully, they’re a thing of the past! In recent years, electronics have been miniaturised to the point where designers have been able to focus more on aesthetics. As a result, people can now lead unencumbered, fully functional lives with a solution that’s so tiny; you’d never know they were wearing one.

Individuals who have hearing loss at certain frequencies (those who hear the low frequencies reasonably better, but have a high-frequency hearing loss) may be better served by devices that cause less occlusion problems.
Your audiologist will examine you to determine the exact degree and type of your hearing issue. They can help you understand your unique loss characteristics, and explain the models that would best suit your hearing needs.

Technology

Today’s technology has reduced the size and improved performance. Sound quality and performance, in different listening situations, depends on the level of technology used. Some of the most sophisticated instruments today are digital, running on powerful computer microchips to provide the best possible sound quality. They may come with several bands, multiple programs, directional or multiple microphones, and/or other features that control the feedback or cut the background noise.
Although all these advances can improve sound quality, hearing comfort and provide greater flexibility, not every technological advancement benefits every individual. Your audiologist will be able to help you assess the level of sophistication you need based on your unique requirements.

Communication Needs

What are the things you do that are most affected by hearing loss? What are the things, if any, that you’re not able to do because of a hearing loss? You need to define the situations where you would like to improve your hearing and set priorities. Your audiologist requires this in order to help you find a hearing device that fulfils most of your needs. It also helps them to choose and suggest the level of technology and the necessary device features.

Size & Shape Of Your External Ears

The size and shape of the ear canals and earlobes vary from person to person and can affect the selection of your instrument. The shape and size of the outer ear and ear canal can make it difficult for some people to wear particular styles. For example, if your canal is extremely narrow or if you have deformities such as exostosis in your ear canals you may not be a good candidate for Completely In The Canal (CIC) or even for In The Canal (ITC) options. On the other hand, deformed earlobes may not allow for wearing of BTE styles. Your audiologist will help determine which options are appropriate for you.

Personal Factors & Cosmetic Appearance

Many people may be concerned about appearance, and it’s wise to remember that others will be far less aware of your device than you. Most models are quite discreet. They come in a variety of sizes, from almost invisible, completely-in-the-canal models to those that fit behind the ear. Either way, your audiologist can help you find the style that suits you the best.
Your hairstyle and the size and shape of your ears will also affect the impact of your device/s on your appearance.

Handling

The smaller the instrument, the smaller the controls and batteries. So if your eyes are not what they used to be, if you have shaky hands, or if your fingers cannot cope with adjusting small controls, you will find a larger instrument easier to handle. Alternatively, some new instruments adjust automatically or via remote control. Your audiologist will advise you on the most suitable option for you.

Binaural or Monaural

Two ears are always better than one. If you have hearing loss in both ears, you need to consider wearing two devices. Not because they make things twice as loud, but because, by mimicking the natural hearing process they help you determine where the sounds are coming from, and to distinguish between competing sounds more easily. This makes it easier to understand what people are saying in noisy situations.
Binaural models give you improved overall sound quality, balanced hearing and listening ease. On the other hand, if you wear just one device, the un-amplified ear may lose its ability to hear, analyze and understand speech as a result of auditory deprivation.
Other audiological factors, which influence device selection, are: risk of acoustic feedback (whistling), past history of wax build up in the ear, and the clinical need for ventilation (in patients who are prone or have an ear infection).